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Mintzes B. Do regulatory safety warnings on medicines miss the mark? Drug Ther Bull 2024; 62:50. [PMID: 38458656 DOI: 10.1136/dtb.2023.000053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Mintzes
- School of Pharmacy and Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- The University of British Columbia School of Population and Public Health, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Ingersoll RN, Bui ET, Coleman B, Zhou EH, Eggers S. Prescriber perceptions of boxed warnings: A qualitative study. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 2024; 33:e5766. [PMID: 38418933 DOI: 10.1002/pds.5766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To explore how boxed warning (BW) information fits within the context of prescribers' overall treatment decision-making and communication with patients. METHODS In-depth interviews (N = 52) were conducted with primary care providers and specialists. Participants were presented with one of two prescribing scenarios: (1) estrogen vaginal inserts to treat vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) associated with menopause; or (2) direct-acting antivirals (DAA) to treat chronic hepatitis C virus infection (HCV). The semi-structured interviews explored participants' treatment decision-making within the scenario, reactions to current prescribing information for a product within the FDA-approved drug class, as well as their perceptions of BWs generally. RESULTS Across scenarios, providers described that the BW is only one of several factors that influence treatment decision-making. In the VVA scenario, symptom severity, family history, and experience with nonprescription drugs were raised as common factors that influence prescribing considerations; compared to comorbid infections, viral load, and HCV genotype in the HCV scenario. Perceptions of the DAA BW were generally positive or neutral, as many participants found the information important and appropriate. The VVA BW was viewed less favorably, with many participants stating the BW overstates the risk for this drug. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that BWs are one of several factors that influence providers' treatment decisions, and BW influence largely depends on context. Providers across scenarios expressed notable differences in their perceptions of the risk information provided in the presented BWs; however, across scenarios participants expressed consideration of how patients may perceive the BW.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elise T Bui
- Fors Marsh, Health Communication Research, Arlington, Virginia, USA
| | - Blair Coleman
- Office of Program and Strategic Analysis (OPSA), Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Esther H Zhou
- Office of Surveillance and Epidemiology (OSE), Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Sara Eggers
- Office of Program and Strategic Analysis (OPSA), Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
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Roldan Munoz S, Postmus D, de Vries ST, Gross-Martirosyan L, Bahri P, Hillege H, Mol PGM. What Factors Make EU Regulators Want to Communicate Drug Safety Issues Related to SGLT2 Inhibitors? An Online Survey Study. Drug Saf 2023; 46:243-255. [PMID: 36790560 PMCID: PMC9988744 DOI: 10.1007/s40264-022-01270-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Previous studies have found differences in the communication of safety issues among medicines regulatory agencies. OBJECTIVES To explore (1) to what extent regulators' opinions regarding the need to communicate safety issues related to sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors might be influenced by their concern about the safety issue, and (2) whether regulators' concerns might be influenced by certain characteristics of the safety issue or by the demographic and professional characteristics and attitudes of the regulators. METHODS An online cross-sectional survey study with a rating-based conjoint analysis among clinical and pharmacovigilance assessors from the EU regulatory network was performed between April and June 2021. Regulators were invited by email, and participants were asked about their level of concern and their opinion regarding the need to communicate about 12 scenarios defined by four characteristics: adverse drug reaction, source of information, causality, and frequency. The outcomes for the first objective were to update the summary of product characteristics (SmPC; yes/no) and to send direct healthcare professional communications (DHPC; yes/no). The determinant was regulators' level of concern (range 0-100%). The outcome of the second objective was regulators' level of concern, and the determinants were the characteristics of the safety issue, demographic and professional characteristics, and attitudes of the regulators (beliefs about medicines and risk perception). RESULTS A total of 222 regulators completed the survey (64% women; mean age 46 ± 10 years). Depending on the scenario, 54-94% and 25-74% of the participants would update the SmPC or send a DHPC, respectively. The participants' level of concern influenced their opinions regarding the need to update the SmPC and send a DHPC (odds ratio (OR) 13.0; 95% confidence interval (CI) 7.8-21.7 and OR 13.6; 95% CI 9.5-19.2, respectively, for every 10% increase in the level of concern). All characteristics of the safety issue influenced the level of concern. Younger participants, women, and those working for Eastern European agencies had a higher level of concern than older participants, men, and those working in other regions. Beliefs about medicines and general risk perception also influenced their concern. CONCLUSIONS The opinion regarding the need to communicate safety issues was influenced by the concern of regulators. Regulators' concern was influenced by the characteristics of the safety issue, demographic characteristics, and attitudes. Diverse groups of experts regarding such factors would ensure that various views are incorporated in risk communication decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Roldan Munoz
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Douwe Postmus
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Sieta T de Vries
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Dutch Medicines Evaluation Board, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Priya Bahri
- European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hans Hillege
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Dutch Medicines Evaluation Board, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Peter G M Mol
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
- Dutch Medicines Evaluation Board, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Mintzes B, Reynolds E, Bahri P, Perry LT, Bhasale AL, Morrow RL, Dormuth CR. How do safety warnings on medicines affect prescribing? Expert Opin Drug Saf 2022; 21:1269-1273. [PMID: 36208037 DOI: 10.1080/14740338.2022.2134342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Many adverse effects of medicines only become known after approval, prompting regulatory agencies to issue post-market safety advisories to inform clinicians and support safer care. Our team evaluated advisories issued by national regulators in Australia, Canada, Denmark, the United Kingdom, and the United States from 2007 to 2016 inclusive, comparing regulators' decisions to warn, effects on prescribing, doctors' awareness and responses to warnings, relevant regulatory policies, and specific case studies. AREAS COVERED Based mainly on our research program and a narrative review, this commentary describes how often regulators issue safety advisories and effects on clinical practice. We found extensive differences in decisions to warn, timing and content of warnings. Monitoring advice is often inadequate. The most systematic estimate suggests an average reduction in prescribing of around 6% compared with settings with no advisory. Interviews with doctors suggest limited awareness, uptake, and at times belief in these warnings. EXPERT OPINION Post-market safety advisories are an important intervention aiming to improve prescribing and use of medicines. However, differing warnings mean that some patients may be exposed to riskier prescribing than others. Better integration of new safety information into clinical practice is needed, as well as improved transparency, independence, and public engagement in regulatory decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Mintzes
- Charles Perkins Centre and School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Ellen Reynolds
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Priya Bahri
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Pharmacovigilance Office, European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Lucy T Perry
- Charles Perkins Centre and School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Alice L Bhasale
- Charles Perkins Centre and School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Richard L Morrow
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Colin R Dormuth
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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de Vries E, Bakker E, Monster TBM, Denig P, Mol PGM. Factors Influencing Preferences and Responses Towards Drug Safety Communications: A Conjoint Experiment Among Hospital-Based Healthcare Professionals in the Netherlands. Drug Saf 2022; 45:1369-1380. [PMID: 36107383 PMCID: PMC9560924 DOI: 10.1007/s40264-022-01230-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Objectives Methods Results Conclusion Supplementary Information
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Morrow RL, Mintzes B, Souverein PC, Hallgreen CE, Ahmed B, Roughead EE, De Bruin ML, Kristiansen SB, Lexchin J, Kemp-Casey A, Sketris I, Mangin D, Pearson SA, Puil L, Lopert R, Bero L, Gnjidic D, Sarpatwari A, Dormuth CR. Hydroxyzine Initiation Following Drug Safety Advisories on Cardiac Arrhythmias in the UK and Canada: A Longitudinal Cohort Study. Drug Saf 2022; 45:623-638. [PMID: 35438459 PMCID: PMC9189086 DOI: 10.1007/s40264-022-01175-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Regulatory advisories on hydroxyzine and risk of QT prolongation and Torsade de pointes (TdP) were issued in the UK in April 2015 and Canada in June 2016. We hypothesized patients with risk factors for QT prolongation and TdP, compared with those without risk factors, would be less likely to initiate hydroxyzine in the UK and in British Columbia (BC), Canada, following advisories. Methods We conducted a longitudinal study with repeated measures, and evaluated hydroxyzine initiation in a UK cohort and a concurrent BC control cohort (April 2013–March 2016) as well as in a BC advisory cohort (June 2014–May 2017). Results This study included 247,665 patients in the UK cohort, 297,147 patients in the BC control cohort, and 303,653 patients in the BC advisory cohort. Over a 12-month post-advisory period, hydroxyzine initiation decreased by 21% in the UK (rate ratio 0.79, 95% confidence interval 0.66–0.96) relative to the expected level of initiation based on the pre-advisory trend. Hydroxyzine initiation did not change in the BC control cohort or following the Canadian advisory in the BC advisory cohort. The decrease in hydroxyzine initiation in the UK in the 12 months after the advisories was not significantly different for patients with risk factors compared with those without risk factors. Conclusion Hydroxyzine initiation decreased in the UK, but not in BC, in the 12 months following safety advisories. The decrease in hydroxyzine initiation in the UK was not significantly different for patients with versus without risk factors for QT prolongation and TdP. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40264-022-01175-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard L Morrow
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, 210-1110 Government St., Victoria, BC, V8W 1Y2, Canada.
| | - Barbara Mintzes
- Faculty of Medicine and Health and Charles Perkins Centre, School of Pharmacy, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Patrick C Souverein
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Christine E Hallgreen
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Copenhagen Centre for Regulatory Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Bilal Ahmed
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, 210-1110 Government St., Victoria, BC, V8W 1Y2, Canada
| | - Elizabeth E Roughead
- Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Marie L De Bruin
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Copenhagen Centre for Regulatory Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sarah Brøgger Kristiansen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Pharmacovigilance Research Center, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Joel Lexchin
- Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Anna Kemp-Casey
- Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Ingrid Sketris
- Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Dee Mangin
- Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Sallie-Anne Pearson
- Faculty of Medicine, Centre for Big Data Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Lorri Puil
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Ruth Lopert
- Department of Health Policy and Management, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Lisa Bero
- School of Medicine and Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Danijela Gnjidic
- Faculty of Medicine and Health and Charles Perkins Centre, School of Pharmacy, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ameet Sarpatwari
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Colin R Dormuth
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, 210-1110 Government St., Victoria, BC, V8W 1Y2, Canada
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Mintzes B, Bhasale A, Torka M, Lopert R, Pearson SA, Lexchin J, Bero L. A sorry tale of unnecessary secrecy about medicine safety. Intern Med J 2021; 51:1765-1766. [PMID: 34664366 DOI: 10.1111/imj.15513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Mintzes
- School of Pharmacy and Charles Perkins Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alice Bhasale
- School of Pharmacy and Charles Perkins Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Marc Torka
- Department of Sociology and Social Policy, Faculty of Arts, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ruth Lopert
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France.,Department of Health Policy & Management, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Sallie-Anne Pearson
- Medicines Policy Research Unit, Centre for Big Data Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Joel Lexchin
- School of Health Policy & Management, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lisa Bero
- Center for Bioethics and Humanities, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Denver, Colorado, USA
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